Le combat de Judy

7.0 stars.

It's based on a true story, which makes this more interesting than most. I think it's dramatized just the right amount. I like the actors, they all did very well. On one hand, it's very real for any person who needs asylum in the USA, but there's a fine line between those who need it and those who are trying to cut corners and get citizenship any way they can. Let's face it, we would grant it to all these people if we could, but it's just not reasonable, because then it's nothing but an open can of worms and then everyone from every third world country will be in the USA before you know it. So the I. C. E. System is there for a reason. But this woman definitely got justice and amen to that.

The film presents the story of Judy Wood's pivotal breakthrough in changing the interpretation of political asylum in the USA. Since we know she won, the main interest comes from watching the filmmaker's exploration of her emotional struggles. The results are uplifting. You come out of this film feeling like the "little guy or gal" can still win. It only takes clarity and persistence. The film is well crafted, well-acted, and but dialogue is a bit cringy. It's hard to see how this movie differentiates itself from a TV MOW or biopic.

I liked this. It's a bit moralistic and leans heavily to the white knight on a charger is a lady type theme. There are a few good men to be found lurking in the background, who are only good because they have been guilted in to being so. The pretty refugee who has cheesy bits around her lips, is properly doped up by the authorities until wonder woman Saint Judy comes along and saves the day. Saint Judy does this all while having no pay cheques until the very end. How on earth does she rent a house, rent an office and put food on the table? Is this the ultimate charity of strangers movie? I will admit that the story did strike me as one that is only too real and relevant and that there is injustice that is worth fighting against. Nice touch with the ending.

Saint Judy (2018) was directed by Sean Hanish. It's a narrative film, based on the life of Attorney Judy Wood, played by Michelle Monaghan.

Wood is an immigration attorney who truly believes that the U.S. should welcome, not reject, people seeking asylum. She fights for these people--particularly women--and often saves them from deportation and death.

The problem is that this kind of commitment requires her to neglect other aspects of her life. Personal and financial matters keep pulling her in one direction, while the work she does pulls her the other way.

The plot of the film consists of Attorney Wood moving toward the moment of truth in a deportation hearing in the Federal District Court.

The acting in the movie is excellent, and the message is profound. I think this film is good enough to recommend it to everyone. If you're an attorney or a human rights activist, it's a must see. It will work well on the small screen.

We saw Saint Judy at Rochester's excellent Little Theatre. It was shown as part of the Rochester High Falls Women's Film Festival, where it won the audience award for Best Narrative Film.

Well thought out,well dramatized story that needs to be told. Good acting by Michelle Monaghan.